Mk5 Golf Genuine LED Rear Lights

[RedRobin]

I was disappointed to learn today after very close inspection, that the 'inner' silver'd surrounds to the fog and reversing lights are totally non-functional on the new LED units. The moulding allows for actual LED's but none are there. Nevertheless I am still very pleased with them.

If you have either an Ed30 or Mk5 R32 with the darker red, you could just change the 'outers' to the new LED's and still keep it all matching.

These dont do anything on the normal lights do they?

....You're right, neg. I just didn't realise and assumed they were sidelights or something similar. The moulding is such that they could incorporate LED's though.

[hotrod]

I was disappointed to learn today after very close inspection, that the 'inner' silver'd surrounds to the fog and reversing lights are totally non-functional on the new LED units. The moulding allows for actual LED's but none are there. Nevertheless I am still very pleased with them.

If you have either an Ed30 or Mk5 R32 with the darker red, you could just change the 'outers' to the new LED's and still keep it all matching.

It’s also the same on other VW models, I checked out in the showroom recently.

[neg]

Shame you can't just order the outside bits as this is all I would need and keep the R32 insides.

[arletty69]

Received my OEM LED's from Germany today (317 euros total).  Fitted no problem at all in about 30 minutes............up and running..............superb!

So, for anyone interested here are the technical details of the LED's:

First of all, as already well documented:  There are no LED's in the two inner units for fog and reversing lights.  Normal bulbs only!

The outer units are composed of:

Outer Ring:   20 x Bi-Colour LED's  (Red -Low Intensity/Amber - High Intensity)

Inner Ring:    15 x Bi-Intensity Red LED's. (High and Low Intensity)

So when side lights only are on we have all 35 LED's lit Red, low intensity.
Hitting the brake causes the 15 inner ring LED's to increase to high intensity.
The indicators cause the outer 20 LED's to flash high intensity amber and if the sidelights are on, to alternate between amber high intensity and red low intensity.

So, much safer than the original lights as the indicator display is much larger and easily seen when the brake lights are on!

LED's normally have a very long life.  Be warned however, that the individual diodes are not replaceable so could mean the eventual replacement of the entire unit, should you be unlucky enough to loose several LED's.  Says in the destructions from Valeo that if you loose one diode there is no problem, but if you loose 2 you will get the dashboard warning of lamp failure!

[hotrod]

Received my OEM LED's from Germany today (317 euros total).  Fitted no problem at all in about 30 minutes............up and running..............superb!

So, for anyone interested here are the technical details of the LED's:

First of all, as already well documented:  There are no LED's in the two inner units for fog and reversing lights.  Normal bulbs only!

The outer units are composed of:

Outer Ring:   20 x Bi-Colour LED's  (Red -Low Intensity/Amber - High Intensity)

Inner Ring:    15 x Bi-Intensity Red LED's. (High and Low Intensity)

So when side lights only are on we have all 35 LED's lit Red, low intensity.
Hitting the brake causes the 15 inner ring LED's to increase to high intensity.
The indicators cause the outer 20 LED's to flash high intensity amber and if the sidelights are on, to alternate between amber high intensity and red low intensity.

So, much safer than the original lights as the indicator display is much larger and easily seen when the brake lights are on!

LED's normally have a very long life.  Be warned however, that the individual diodes are not replaceable so could mean the eventual replacement of the entire unit, should you be unlucky enough to loose several LED's.  Says in the destructions from Valeo that if you loose one diode there is no problem, but if you loose 2 you will get the dashboard warning of lamp failure!

What’s the chance of seeing some pics?  Sounds great!

[RedRobin]

....Great info on the LED details, arletty

[CocoPops]

So has anyone fitted just the outers to an Ed30 yet?
I wanna see the colour match and how they sit.

If they look good, then there isn't any point swapping the inner lenses etc for fog/reverse.

[hotrod]

Hi Red Robin,

It’s been a while since you’ve had your LEDs fitted now. How are you getting along with them... any faults or queries. As you know my car’s on order with Elliott and I shall be fitting the LEDs as soon as possible after it arrives. It’s probable that I’ll keep the smoked ED30 inners and install the LED outers.

Just waiting for info from any owners out there, that they match up perfectly.

Watch this space!
Hotrod

[RedRobin]

So has anyone fitted just the outers to an Ed30 yet?
I wanna see the colour match and how they sit.

If they look good, then there isn't any point swapping the inner lenses etc for fog/reverse.

....I'm sure I posted a pic of a silver Mk5 R32 with the mixed tail lights - In this thread methinks if you care to look through all 16 pages!

[RedRobin]

Hi Red Robin,

It’s been a while since you’ve had your LEDs fitted now. How are you getting along with them... any faults or queries. As you know my car’s on order with Elliott and I shall be fitting the LEDs as soon as possible after it arrives. It’s probable that I’ll keep the smoked ED30 inners and install the LED outers.

Just waiting for info from any owners out there, that they match up perfectly.

Watch this space!
Hotrod

Hi Hotrod!

....I'm enjoying my new LED's mostly because I find it reassuring to know how strong and effective my rear lights are. Although I'm disappointed that the 'inners' are less functional for their 'bling', I still like the overall look on my GTI. Afterall, the Xenons up front are pretty shiny!

It's only a matter of time before most cars have LED tails and my hunch is that summer build Mk5 Golfs will have them.